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AlHumaidan NI, AlZelfawi LA, AlHindawi ZA, AlDosari LM, AlTowaijri AM, AlFaisal NF. Prevalence, perception, and attitude regarding electronic cigarettes usage among young adults in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional study. Saudi Med J 2024; 45:857-861. [PMID: 39074883 PMCID: PMC11288503 DOI: 10.15537/smj.2024.45.8.20240359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 07/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To determine the prevalence of electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) usage among young adults in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; their perceptions of its harm and legal age, and the reasons and factors influencing their use. METHODS This cross-sectional study was carried out within the general community of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, between December 2023 and April 2024. Participants aged 18-25 years were included. A self-administered online questionnaire was used to gather demographic data, perceptions, and attitudes toward e-cigarettes and reasons for their use. RESULTS The majority of the 476 participants were female (n=378, 79.4%) and Saudi nationals (n=451, 94.7%). Current e-cigarette usage was 10.5% (n=50), being more prevalent among males (n=46, 46.9%) and non-Saudis (n=12, 48%). Respondents living alone (n=11, 34.4%) or with friends (n=4, 80%), those who perceived e-cigarettes as safer than cigarettes (n=38, 42.2%), or were unsure of age restrictions demonstrated high usage. Key motivators included flavors available, stress relief, and curiosity. CONCLUSION Eelectronic cigarette use among Riyadh's youth was remarkable, especially among males. Reducing the e-cigarette usage prevalence in Saudi Arabia should be prioritized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norah I. AlHumaidan
- From the College of Medicine (AlHumaidan, AlZelfawi, AlHindawi, AlDosari, AlTowaijri), Princess Noura Bint Abdulrahman University, and from the Department of Family Medicine (AlFaisal), King Abdullah University Hospital, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
| | - Lama A. AlZelfawi
- From the College of Medicine (AlHumaidan, AlZelfawi, AlHindawi, AlDosari, AlTowaijri), Princess Noura Bint Abdulrahman University, and from the Department of Family Medicine (AlFaisal), King Abdullah University Hospital, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
| | - Zeena A. AlHindawi
- From the College of Medicine (AlHumaidan, AlZelfawi, AlHindawi, AlDosari, AlTowaijri), Princess Noura Bint Abdulrahman University, and from the Department of Family Medicine (AlFaisal), King Abdullah University Hospital, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
| | - Lena M. AlDosari
- From the College of Medicine (AlHumaidan, AlZelfawi, AlHindawi, AlDosari, AlTowaijri), Princess Noura Bint Abdulrahman University, and from the Department of Family Medicine (AlFaisal), King Abdullah University Hospital, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
| | - Aljoharah M. AlTowaijri
- From the College of Medicine (AlHumaidan, AlZelfawi, AlHindawi, AlDosari, AlTowaijri), Princess Noura Bint Abdulrahman University, and from the Department of Family Medicine (AlFaisal), King Abdullah University Hospital, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
| | - Njoud F. AlFaisal
- From the College of Medicine (AlHumaidan, AlZelfawi, AlHindawi, AlDosari, AlTowaijri), Princess Noura Bint Abdulrahman University, and from the Department of Family Medicine (AlFaisal), King Abdullah University Hospital, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
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Alrasheedi SM, Alrashdi MN, Alhumaidan LS, Alkhdairi A, Alzweihary AM, Alhussaini OM, Alharbi LS, Albalawi AN, Almutairi TF, Alharbi OAG, Bashal AAM. Prevalence of Adverse Respiratory Symptoms Among E-Cigarette Users in Saudi Arabia - A Cross-Sectional Study. JOURNAL OF PHARMACY AND BIOALLIED SCIENCES 2024; 16:S1641-S1646. [PMID: 38882900 PMCID: PMC11174166 DOI: 10.4103/jpbs.jpbs_1222_23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 12/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Electronic cigarettes, frequently referred to as e-cigarettes, have emerged as a controversial and rapidly growing phenomenon in the realm of tobacco and nicotine consumption worldwide. This study reports the prevalence of respiratory symptoms among e-cigarette users. This study also helps to understand the potential harmful effects and importance of quitting e-cigarette smoking. An observational cross-sectional study was carried out in Saudi Arabia. The study period was from September 2022 to August 2023. The sample size was 447 participants. Among recent e-cigarette users in this Saudi study, usage varied, with 44.1% using 1-5 days, 33.6% using 6-30 days, and 22.4% using e-cigarettes previously but not in the previous month. Vape devices were predominant (42.7%). There were significant associations emerged between e-cigarette use frequency and symptoms such as fatigue, breathlessness, and shortness of breath. E-cigarette use was notably linked to asthma-related symptoms, underscoring its concerning impact on respiratory health (P < 0.05). E-cigarette consumption has a significant impact on respiratory effects and specifically asthma-related symptoms among this Saudi population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sami M Alrasheedi
- Department of Medicine, Unaizah College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Mousa N Alrashdi
- Department of Medicine, Unaizah College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Lama S Alhumaidan
- Department of Medicine, Unaizah College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmad Alkhdairi
- Department of Medicine, Unaizah College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Ali M Alzweihary
- Department of Medicine, Unaizah College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Omar M Alhussaini
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Alrayan Medical Colleges, Medina, Saudi Arabia
| | - Lama S Alharbi
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Ibn Sina National College, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Amirah N Albalawi
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Tabuk University, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia
| | - Turki F Almutairi
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Alkharj, Saudi Arabia
| | - Osama A G Alharbi
- Department of Medicine, Unaizah College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Afaf A M Bashal
- Department of Medicine, King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Medical City, Madinah Health Cluster, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
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Alhalafi A. The Use of Electronic Cigarettes in Saudi Arabia: A Narrative Review. Cureus 2024; 16:e54167. [PMID: 38496178 PMCID: PMC10941232 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.54167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
The use of electronic cigarettes (or "e-cigarettes") is spreading throughout the world. Population-level data from a number of countries indicate that e-cigarettes are used more by children and young adults than by the overall population. Although extensive research has been conducted in Western nations to better understand many aspects of e-cigarette usage among children and young adults, Middle Eastern nations have little data on this topic. The use of tobacco is detrimental to the health, finances, and national spirit of Saudi Arabia. More than 7,000 of its citizens die each year from diseases caused by tobacco use. Nevertheless, more than 20,000 youngsters and 3,352,000 adults smoke cigarettes each day. Similarly, the use of electronic cigarettes is on the rise, possibly as a result of aggressive publicity and marketing campaigns by manufacturers that appeal to the younger demographic. This review was undertaken through literature research to ascertain the usage and attitudes toward e-cigarette use among the Saudi population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdullah Alhalafi
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Bisha, Bisha, SAU
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Doumi R, Khaytan S, Alobaidan AS, Alqahtany BM, Aldosari NM, Almutairi AA, Alanazi AA, Fayed A. Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of E-Cigarettes of Adolescents and Adults in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 11:2998. [PMID: 37998490 PMCID: PMC10671544 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11222998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
E-cigarettes have gained enormous popularity, and their use has increased drastically worldwide. However, little is known regarding adolescents' and adults' knowledge, attitudes, and practices in Saudi Arabia. We conducted a cross-sectional study using a self-administered online-modified WHO GATS questionnaire on a convenience sample approach. Data were collected between January and March 2021 after the alleviation of COVID-19 lockdown measures in Saudi Arabia. Univariate and multivariate regression models were developed to identify independent factors associated with knowledge, attitude, and practice. Our sample (1335) had a mean age of 26.45 ± 10.5 years; nearly half of the participants had poor knowledge about e-cigarettes. The usage and positive attitude were reported by 18.6% and 19.4%, respectively. Around 43.5% of e-cigarette users reported starting or increased use during the COVID-19 pandemic, while 9.5% of participants would recommend it to others. Logistic regressions showed that older participants were more likely to have poor knowledge (OR = 1.02, 95% C.I. = 1.01-1.03) and positive attitudes (OR = 0.98, 95% C.I. = 0.91-0.96). Male participants and smokers (OR = 3.0, 95% C.I. = 2.3-3.8) were more likely to have a positive attitude. However, younger participants were less likely to go for e-cigarettes (OR = 0.95, 95% C.I. = 0.93-0.97), while males (OR = 2.53, 95% C.I. = 1.65-3.86) and smokers (OR = 4.63, 95% C.I. = 3.47-6.18) were more likely to use them. This study indicated a high level of poor knowledge about e-cigarettes. A considerable proportion of participants reported usage and a positive attitude towards them. Older age, male gender, and being a smoker were the main elicited predictors for e-cigarette use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rasha Doumi
- College of Medicine, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh 11671, Saudi Arabia; (S.K.); (A.S.A.); (B.M.A.); (N.M.A.); (A.A.A.); (A.A.A.); (A.F.)
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Jirjees F, Dallal Bashi YH, Kharaba Z, Ahmadi K, Barakat M, AlObaidi H. Public awareness, prevalence, and regulations for the sale of electronic cigarettes in Arab countries: A narrative review. Tob Induc Dis 2023; 21:143. [PMID: 37901882 PMCID: PMC10603825 DOI: 10.18332/tid/168435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2022] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The majority of the Arab countries have high records of daily tobacco smoking. Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) use has exponentially increased in the past decade in Arab countries. Consumers' willingness to quit smoking traditional cigarettes and their perception of e-cigarettes as a safer alternative to conventional cigarettes have increased the demand for these devices. This narrative review aimed to gather and discuss the available literature on the awareness, prevalence, and sales regulations of e-cigarettes in Arab countries. A search was conducted on electronic databases such as PubMed, Medline, Scopus, and Google Scholar with no time limits until the end of 2021. Some of the recent studies (2019-2021) considered in this review have reported that more than 25% of participants were e-cigarettes users. The prevalence of e-cigarettes has increased drastically with raised awareness of e-cigarettes among the population in these Arab countries. Most of the users of e-cigarettes are young males. In addition, an increase in e-cigarettes use has been reported in females. The policies which regulate trade and sale of e-cigarettes and related products were issued in only three Arab countries. In contrast, regulations for the trade and sale of traditional cigarette products are also applied in some countries to e-cigarette products, banning the sale of e-cigarettes to minors and/or amend smoke-free laws to restrict public use of e-cigarettes. There is a need for a concerted effort to assess the prevalence and significant rise of e-cigarettes consumption in Arab societies to help implement and improve harm reduction policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feras Jirjees
- College of Pharmacy, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | | | - Zelal Kharaba
- College of Pharmacy, Al Ain University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle, United Kingdom
| | - Keivan Ahmadi
- NIHR Applied Research Collaboration Northwest London, Department of Primary Care and Public Health, School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Muna Barakat
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics, School of Pharmacy, Applied Science Private University, Amman, Jordan
| | - Hala AlObaidi
- School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
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Alsanea S, Alrabiah Z, Samreen S, Syed W, Bin Khunayn RM, Al-Arifi NM, Alenazi M, Alghadeer S, Alhossan A, Alwhaibi A, Al-Arifi MN. Prevalence, knowledge and attitude toward electronic cigarette use among male health colleges students in Saudi Arabia-A cross-sectional study. Front Public Health 2022; 10:827089. [PMID: 36276346 PMCID: PMC9580394 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.827089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Health care professionals have an important role in increasing awareness about smoking harms and serving as role models. This study aims to assess knowledge, attitude and perception toward electronic cigarettes (ECs) as well as prevalence of ECs use among male health colleges students. Method This is a cross-sectional survey-based study conducted among students in the male campus of five different health colleges over a 4-month period from February 2020 to May 2020. Descriptive analysis was used to assess the knowledge, perception and attitude, and inferential testing was used to evaluate the association of different participant's variables and knowledge toward ECs usage using SPSS. Results A total of 333 students were included in the analysis. Most of students (n = 205; 61.6%) had never used ECs, while 22.8 and 15.6% used them for recreational and smoking cessation purposes, respectively. Focusing on ECs users from each college individually, medical students had the highest prevalence followed by dental, pharmacy and nursing students (47.4, 40.7, 34.5, and 32%, respectively). Many students had misconceptions and a low level of knowledge about ECs, such as recognizing them as smoking-cessation tools and not knowing whether toxic and carcinogenic components levels in ECs are similar to conventional cigarettes, respectively. Medical students had significantly higher knowledge compared to dental students [3 (2) vs. 2 (1); p = 0.033]. Moreover, smokers were less knowledgeable than non-smokers [2.5 (1) vs. 2.1 (1), p = 0.027]. At least 62.8% of students perceived using ECs as a fashionable alternative smoking method and 59.2% believed that they may become a gateway for smoking addiction. Only 120 (36.0%) health colleges students were confidently able to advise smokers regarding ECs. Conclusion Our study highlights an increased trend of ECs use accompanied with insufficient knowledge and several misconceptions about ECs among health colleges students. This was associated with a negative influence on their attitude toward ECs use, which would potentially lead to negative consequences on public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sary Alsanea
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ziyad Alrabiah
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sana Samreen
- Volunteer Researcher, Drug and Poison Information Center (DPIC), Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Wajid Syed
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Rawan M. Bin Khunayn
- College of Medicine, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Miteb Alenazi
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, King Saud University Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sultan Alghadeer
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdulaziz Alhossan
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdulrahman Alwhaibi
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia,*Correspondence: Abdulrahman Alwhaibi
| | - Mohamed N. Al-Arifi
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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